At the outset, I extend my heartiest wishes to the people of Karnataka on the occasion of the commemoration of Hyderabad-Karnataka Liberation Day. On September 17, 1948, Hyderabad-Karnataka region merged with the Union of India under the leadership of India’s first Home Minister, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
The long fight
The liberation of the region is the outcome of a determined fight against the atrocities committed by Razakar, the private militia raised by the Nizam of Hyderabad. The atrocities and ordeals suffered by the people of the region is a dark chapter in the annals of history. When India was celebrating its Independence Day on August 15, 1947, freedom was elusive for the Hyderabad-Karnataka region. Around 560 princely States joined the union. However, Nizam Mir Osman Ali Khan had opposed annexation of Hyderabad.
The leader of Razakars, Qasim Razvi, unleashed a wave of atrocities in the region. Razvi, in his clarion call to his militia, said that each Razakar should carry the Nizam flag in one hand and a sword in the other. Militia raised by Razvi was a formidable force. Nizam too had to abide by their dictates.
Owing to Razakars brutal force, over a lakh people from the Hyderabad-Karnataka region are said to have been displaced. Also, in a futile effort, Nizam had sent a delegation to the United Nations to refer the Hyderabad Case to the UN Security Council.
Meanwhile, the first Hyderabad Congress conference was held on June 16, 1947, to take “Okkoota Seri Chaluvali” (Join the Union movement) to its logical conclusion. Swami Ramanand Tirtha, S. Nijalingappa, Kamaladevi Chattopadhyaya, N.G. Ranga, Alavandi Shivamurthy, and Shankar Dev participated in the conference.
Finally, Sardar Patel decided to undertake “Police Action”. On September 13, 1948, the Major Gen. J.N. Chaudhuri-led Indian Army surrounded the Hyderabad State from 12 directions and completed the operation in 109 hours. Nizam had no choice other than to surrender to the Indian forces. On September 17, Commander in Chief of the Nizam Army surrendered to the Indian Army.
Consequently, Nizam signed the treaty to merge the State with the Indian Union. Qasim Razvi, the leader of Razakars, was arrested.
On this historic day, it gives me immense pleasure to rename the Hyderabad-Karnataka region as “Kalyana Karnataka”. The new name is a perfect tribute to the invaluable contribution of 12th Century social reformers.
The 18th Century French revolution has a special place in the history of revolutions propagating the concepts of liberty, equality and fraternity. I am proud to say that social reformers in 12th Century were way ahead in their deliberations on social justice, equality and women’s emancipation. Basavanna, prominent face of the Sharana movement, had hosted like-minded thinkers in Kalyana kingdom. The kingdom had witnessed the mystics and saints and poets such as Akkamahadevi, Allama Prabhu and Channabasavanna. Hence, Kalyana became the epicentre of Bhakti (Devotion) movement and Vachana Sahitya.
I hope “Kalyana Karnataka”, which denotes the history of great humanists, will usher in a new chapter of welfare and development in the region. I wish the name ‘Kalyana Karnataka’ will be in the hearts and minds of the people forever.
